Heads: We can prove the examiners lied

The Secondary Heads Association will present proof tomorrow that the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority was heavily involved in the downgrading of A-level exam papers.

John Dunford, head of the SHC, which represents schools throughout Britain, said: 'We're meeting Mike Tomlinson (the former Ofsted head heading the independent investigation into the matter) and we will show him evidence that QCA was definitely part of this process.

'We can reveal the full extent of the problem which relates to many more candidates than the QCA would have us believe and resulted in a range of marks which can only be described as bizarre.'

Mr Dunford's claims came as Education Secretary Estelle Morris was plunged into a new row after it emerged that the Government had broken its promise to make sure more 11-year-olds learn the 'Three Rs.'

New figures this week will show that she has failed to reach a five-year target for literacy and numeracy standards set by Tony Blair when he came to power.

Ms Morris's predecessor, David Blunkett, said he would resign if the target were not reached this year. . . and the primary school blow could be the last straw for Ms Morris.

Certainly, she will be closely monitoring John Dunford's meeting tomorrow with Mike Tomlinson over the downgrading of A-level papers.

Mr Dunford refused to reveal details last night but added: 'Our evidence of QCA's involvement relates to meetings on and around July 26.' That date has been cited throughout the week as a turning point. Senior examiners had gone home that day thinking their grade boundaries had been set.

But at some point that afternoon the QCA had met the chief executives of all three examing boards for what insiders describe as 'robust' conversations about moving the goalposts.

The resulting grade boundaries caused uproar after hundreds of A-grade students found papers and coursework had been marked down to a U grade, denying them places they had expected at top universities.

An initial investigation by the QCA last Friday only served to infuriate teachers and schools further. Dr Ken Boston, the new chief executive, reported that his study found 'no evidence' to support claims that exam papers and coursework had been unfairly downgraded.

Schools want answers from the Tomlinson inquiry in two key areas: what happened to change A grades to Us in thousands of examination and coursework papers in the A2 exams this summer? And how can the mess be prevented from happening again?

Tony Little, headmaster of Eton, said: 'It is vital that faith in exams is restored. It would be highly unfortunate if we had to take a legal position.'

Mr Tomlinson will make a preliminary report on Friday and report more fully on A-level standards and grade boundaries in the autumn.

Estelle Morris's political future is thought to be hanging by a thread because of the A-level fiasco and claims that GCSE results were fiddled. And the Government's flagship education policy, Standard Assessment Tests (SATs), used to check reading, writing and arithmetic skills among

11-year-olds, is said to be in disarray.

Mr Blunkett said in 1997 that unless the SATs success rate reached 75 per cent in Maths and 80 per cent in English by 2002, he would quit. But The results of tests taken by two million children in May show they have fallen short of the targets.

Shadow Education Secretary Damian Green said: 'Ms Morris is quick to blame teachers and schools when they fail to meet targets. If she desn't resign, teachers will feel there's one law for them and another for her.'